If you chew you run the risk of ending up like Floridian Rick Bender who lost a third of his face to cancer caused by chewing tobacco. Smokeless tobacco, like chew or dip, can cause oral cancers, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, heart disease, stroke, reproductive health issues and addiction.

Smokeless tobacco use has remained steady among Florida’s youth for more than a decade. This is “Through With Chew Week”, a drive aimed at preventing and reducing the use of smokeless tobacco. The Great American Spit Out is today — Thursday, Feb. 21 — to encourage smokeless tobacco users to quit using smokeless tobacco or to use the day to make a plan to quit. Tobacco Free Florida's website at www.tobaccofreeflorida.com provides free services to help quit nicotine, including free nicotine patches while supplies last and if medically appropriate. Call the Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW to obtain help in quitting.